Pacific picks Merced College's Borba

Garrett Borba came to Merced College with a reputation of being a defensive rock.

A flash-free middle infielder that would gobble up every ball in his range and occasionally pull off the spectacular.

Borba's freshman season with the Blue Devils solidified this belief.

And while it was good enough to secure him a starting job at shortstop for his sophomore campaign, the former Golden Valley star had bigger ambitions.

"I knew if I wanted to continue my career, I needed to be seen as a complete player," Borba said. "I spent an hour every day -- either before or after practice -- just working on my hitting.

"I knew I'd put in the work, but the results surprised me a little."

Borba turned into one of the best table setters in Northern California.

After hitting .258 as a freshman, Borba raised his batting average almost 100 points, hitting .347 with four home runs, 25 RBI and a team-best 52 hits.

"We knew Garrett was going to be very solid defensively and figured whatever offense he gave us would be a bonus," MC head coach Chris Pedretti said. "He turned out to be a real weapon for us at the top of the order along with Art Corona. And on an infield that had no other college experience, he was the glue that held it together."

Borba was so solid he garnered the attention four-year schools he never thought possible.

Included in that group was the University of the Pacific, which just graduated starting shortstop Ben Gorang, another MC alum.

Hearing that Borba was cut from the same mold, the Tigers were quick to snatch him up.

"I think the turning point for me was that first game in the Super Regional," Borba said. "Not too many scouts made the drive out for our first series, but all kinds of scouts were there to see us face (Ohlone's Roberto Padilla).

"Fortunately for me, I had a good day."

Borba went 2 for 3 with a run-scoring double, and the rest was history.

"It was funny how it worked out," Borba said. "I was all set to go to Oklahoma State, but then a few of my classes weren't going to transfer over and it would have taken me basically another year to graduate.

"Pacific was the other Division I school that was interested, so I made the change.

"It's probably going to be for the best. Oklahoma would have been really different, which would have been cool, but this I way I'm still pretty close to my family.

"Gorang graduated and they had their second and third basemen drafted, so there's basically three infield positions open. I'm happy to play wherever they need me.

"This gets me one step closer to my dream of playing pro ball, so I'm excited to get going."

Sean Lynch is a Sun-Star sports writer. He can be reached at 385-2476 or via e-mail at slynch@mercedsun-star.com.